Mitten Movie Project – July 7th, 2009 “The most solid and diverse set of shorts yet”

MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT

THE JULY 7TH MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT COMES IN WITH A BANG:

THE MOST SOLID AND DIVERSE LINEUP YET FOR THE FESTIVAL

Detroit, MI – Curator Connie Mangilin is extremely proud to present the lineup for the July 7th Mitten Movie Project. The most solid and diverse lineup yet for the festival, the July lineup sports animation, a music video, documentaries, and narrative shorts. The July Mitten Movie Project takes place on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject

“I’m very pleased at the selections this month. The production quality of the shorts are getting better and better. It’s great to see such a diverse lineup of films. And almost all of them are from Michigan, which is all the better and shows that we have the talent and drive to create great films,” said Curator Connie Mangilin.

Headlining the night is “Thank You for the Music,” a documentary focusing on the benefits of music therapy on mentally challenged persons, and in particular, the Michigan State University Music Therapy Department’s fight to save the program from budget cuts.

In other news, the winner of the June Mitten Movie Project Audience Choice Award was the Michigan State University documentary, “Selling Our President: A Barackumentary.” For winning the June MMP Audience Choice Award, “Selling Our President” will be part of the Mitten Movie Show and will air on Comcast/WOW from July 8th to August 2nd. Screening alongside “Selling Our President” is second and third place winners, “Cockney Rhyming,” another solid and very funny Michigan State University documentary, and “Cadence,” an art piece by Five Clover Films. The Mitten Movie Show is a public access show featuring some of the best shorts of the Mitten Movie Project. The Mitten Movie Show will air on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clarkston, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Independence Township, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester
Hills, Royal Oak and Troy to reach more than 140,000 households.

The Mitten Movie Project would like to thank its sponsors, Williams F. White International (www.whites.com) — the largest dolly/grip equipment rental company in Canada — for its support of local independent films, and M1 Studios (www.m-1studios.com) for its program DVD authoring services.

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre.. An afterglow party will be held on the outdoor deck at Memphis Smoke (100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067 – ages 21+) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

7/7/09 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES

The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject.. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held on the outdoor deck at Memphis Smoke (100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067 – ages 21+) to end the night’s activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.

FINAL LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hr, 35 mins. In order of screening (subject to change):

DEADHEADS [trailer] – FroBro Films (2:35) (Michigan) A horror/comedy feature that follows the tale of two zombie buddies who embark on a road trip in search of lost love and to unravel the mystery behind their untimely demise. Shot entirely on location in Michigan last summer. Directed by the Pierce Brothers.

THE ILLYRIANS [trailer] – Illyria Entertainment (00:45) (Michigan) An intense graphic drama documentary about the history and culture of the Illyrians, Europe’s greatest forgotten people who contributed to the formation and development of Western civilization. www.illyriaentertainment.com

IT CAME FROM DETROIT [trailer] – Plus One Production (02:01) (Michigan) “It Came From Detroit” is the ultimate fan’s look at the city’s internationally renowned “garage rock” scene. Produced over five years, the documentary chronicles the scene before and after the spotlight that came to town as the White Stripes rose to fame. Featuring The Gories, The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, Electric Six, The Dirtbombs, Demolition DollRods, The Hentchmen, and many others. www.itcamefromdetroit.com

TAKING DRUGS AT THE AMUSEMENT PARK [music video] – Directed by Katie Barkel (03:30) (Michigan) Critically acclaimed Detroit musicians, The Silent Years, visit the School of Rock in Rochester, Michigan, to teach a group of miniature rock n’ rollers how to play the first track off their new EP, “Let Go.”

THIS IS 12TH STREET [documentary] – Directed by Katie Barkel (02:50) (Michigan) Short documentary pieced around old newspaper photographs, contemporary photographs, and a woman’s memories of the 1967 Detroit riots. Winner of “Best Documentary” at the University of Michigan, Winter 2008. July is the anniversary month of the 1967 Detroit riots.

THE FIX [narrative] – Directed by Harry C. Arnold (07:14) (Michigan) On a lonely night in a motel room, a young lady awakens to the reality that her life has been forever changed. Starring Cherwanda P. Arnold.

MIDWEST WEENIES 4EVR [animation] – Directed by Joe Lachajczyk (12:34) (Iowa) (2009) Originally made on 16mm film. Two Waterloo, Iowa, girls find themselves under a lot of stress when they attempt to thwart the neighborhood bully (based on the personality of Iowa City’s own beloved 4EYES from THE SCHOOL OF FLYENTOLOGY!!) AND appease a demanding bluebird that they nurtured back to health after a rainstorm knocked it out of its nest.

THE COLUMBIA PROJECT [narrative] – Directed by Colin Rich (07:21) (Michigan) In an alternate present day, a deranged war veteran questions his identity in this ominous science-fiction short. Shot in Ypsilanti, Michigan, entirely with Michigan cast and crew. Partially funded by the University of Michigan.

PARTY CAB [documentary] (04:31) (Michigan) Michigan State University documentary about the Party Cab, a safe but fun way to go partying in East Lansing. Produced by Diego Attanasio, Eric Eding, Kris Sundburg, Matt Robison, and Kevin Taratuta.

RAISED ALONE [trailer] – Samer K Production (01:50) (Michigan) (2009) Directed by Sam Kadi. Obsessive workaholic Murad Bandley has focused on his family’s financial security at the expense of a relationship with his son, Adam, who is a gifted violinist. As Adam performs a spectacular solo, he bestows upon us a glimpse at his childhood attempt at reconciliation. Starring Alex Safi, John Duffey Leo, Vikki Gasko, and Jordan Brun. www.samkproduction.com

HAND TV [variety show]– 1Root Productions (16:37) (Michigan) (2009) The first episode of Hand TV, a new webcast variety show focusing on the entertainment industry and showing the positive effects of Hollywood coming to Michigan. Produced by Sharon Roggio and Tara Plizga. www.1rootproductions..com

LITERALLY [narrative] – Whitewood Films (06:29) (Michigan) Written and directed by Tommie Green. “Literally” is an outlook on two guys that haven’t quite caught on to the exact meanings of current slang terminology. Starring Noah Sife, Dave Chaney, Bretony McGee, and Ryan Brady. www.myspace.com/whitewoodfilms

MOB WARS DETROIT [promo vid] – Directed by Mike Zawacki (02:20) (Michigan) (2009) Video contest submission for Facebook browser game, Mob Wars. Written and directed by Mike Zawacki. Starring Rob Levitt as The Don, Ben Fineman as Consigliere, Tevis Marcum as Capodecima, Craig Jarvis as Gun Goon, Stevie Robinson and My-Ishia Cason-Brown as The Mafia Molls, and John Rodgers as the Door Guard. Also featuring Tish O’Malley as the Mom, and Eric Levitt as the Kid.

FAMILIAR FACES [narrative] – Day to Day Films (09:45) (Michigan) (2009) Written and directed by Tom Novell. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Starring Geanette Davidson and Dickie Ciggs. WARNING: This short contains graphic violence.

ADVENTURE SQUAD 167 [narrative] – Cock Block Productions (05:10) (Michigan) Directed by Ken Kuykendall. The origin story of five out of place superheroes from Detroit.

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC [documentary] (08:37) (Michigan) Documentary about the benefits of music therapy with mentally challenged persons and the fight to save the Music Therapy program at Michigan State University. Produced by Alex Beachum, Peter Dean, and Stephanie Sparks.